“The threat from the Islamic State extremist group is growing by the day in
Africa and the continent could be “the future of the caliphate,” an Africa











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Eye on Extremism


August 10, 2022



Associated Press: Security Expert Warns UN Africa Could Be Future IS Caliphate
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“The threat from the Islamic State extremist group is growing by the day in
Africa and the continent could be “the future of the caliphate,” an African
security expert warned the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday. Martin Ewi said
the Islamic State “has expanded its influence beyond measure” in Africa, with
at least 20 countries directly experiencing the extremist group’s activity and
more than 20 others “being used for logistics and to mobilize funds and other
resources.” “They are now regional hubs, which have become corridors of
instability in Africa,” said Ewi, who coordinates a transnational organized
crime project at the Institute for Security Studies in South Africa’s capital
Pretoria and was previously in charge of the African Union Commission’s
counter-terrorism program. He said the Lake Chad Basin -- which borders Chad,
Nigeria, Niger and Cameroon -- is the extremist group’s biggest area of
operation, areas in the Sahel are now “ungovernable” and Somalia remains the IS
“hotspot” in the Horn of Africa. A recent attempt to take over or destabilize
Uganda failed, but Ewi said an IS affiliate, the Allied Democratic Forces,
“remains a serious threat.” In addition, he said, the Islamic State Central
Africa has made some regions of Congo and Mozambique “human slaughterhouses.”



Associated Press: Hamas Issues, Then Rescinds, Sweeping Rules On Gaza Coverage
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“Gaza’s militant Hamas rulers issued sweeping new restrictions on journalists
after the recent conflict there, but then rescinded them, a group representing
foreign media in Israel and the Palestinian territories said Tuesday.
Palestinians who work with foreign journalists were first informed of the new
rules earlier this week in messages sent by the Hamas-run Interior Ministry.
They were ordered not to report on Gazans killed by misfired Palestinian
rockets or the military capabilities of Palestinian armed groups, and were told
to blame Israel for the recent escalation. The Foreign Press Association, which
represents international media, including The Associated Press, said the
guidelines were rescinded after discussions with authorities in Gaza. The FPA
said in a statement that “such a move would have constituted a severe,
unacceptable and unjustifiable restriction on the freedom of the press, as well
as the safety of our colleagues in Gaza,” Salama Marouf, director of the
government media office in Gaza, confirmed the reversal. “There are no
restrictions,” he said. “We welcome all foreign journalists and media into Gaza
and we call on them to come.”



United States



The New York Times: U.S. Is Urgently Seeking A Country To Resettle A Qaeda
Informant
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“U.S. diplomats have asked 11 countries if they would be willing to take in a
former courier for Al Qaeda who was tortured by the C.I.A. and became a
government informant, Justice Department lawyers said in a court filing on
Tuesday. The lawyers said that finding a nation to resettle the prisoner, Majid
Khan, 42, with his wife and daughter was a priority for the Biden
administration at a time when prosecutors are discussing possible plea
agreements with other prisoners at Guantánamo Bay. Mr. Khan, a U.S.-educated
Pakistani citizen, gained attention last year as the first former prisoner of
the C.I.A.’s black site prison network to publicly describe his torture,
between 2003 and 2006, by U.S. agents. A U.S. military jury condemned his
treatment as “a stain on the moral fiber of America.” Justice Department
lawyers described the Biden administration’s efforts to find a place for him in
a filing that urged Judge Reggie B. Walton of the U.S. District Court in
Washington to essentially take no action for now on Mr. Khan’s petition of
habeas corpus. “The government is actively — and urgently — working to
facilitate petitioner’s transfer,” the lawyers wrote in a 37-page filing that
did not make clear how many of the 11 countries were still considering the
request.”



New York Daily News: Gov. Hochul Encourages Local N.Y. Gov’ts To Aid In
Combating Extremism And Domestic Terrorism
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“Gov. Hochul highlighted steps New York is taking to combat domestic
terrorism Tuesday as she encouraged local governments to prepare plans to
counter extremism. The governor cited the race-fueled Buffalo mass shooting
that left 10 dead in May as she outlined plans to bolster local efforts to
prevent similar tragedies, including $10 million in state funds for the
development of Threat Assessment and Management Teams. “New Yorkers have been
victimized. These are our residents, these are our fellow neighbors and that is
why there’s a sense of urgency with how we approach this,” Hochul said during
virtual remarks made before a summit hosted by the state Division of Homeland
Security. An executive order issued in the wake of the Buffalo massacre
requires every county in the state as well as New York City to develop and
maintain a plan to address the threat of domestic terrorism, including racially
or ethnically motivated violent extremists. According to the governor’s office,
local threat-assessment management teams will be made up of law enforcement,
mental health professionals, school officials, and “other key stakeholders
tasked with identifying, assessing and mitigating the threat of targeted
violence.”



Iran



Iran International: FBI Accuses Iran Of Attempted Terrorist Attacks,
Kidnappings, Cyberattacks <[link removed]>



“The Federal Bureau of Investigation says the Iranian regime and “its
terrorist partners” aren’t just a threat to the Middle East, but also a
critical risk for the United States. In a number of tweets on Monday, the FBI
said Iran and its proxy groups “don't just endanger the Middle East -- they
also put Americans, US national security, and our country's critical
infrastructure at risk.” Sharing a link to a page on its website about how it
is fighting back against the Iranian threat, the bureau added that the risk by
the Islamic Republic is not theoretical. “Through intel and law enforcement
partnerships, the FBI has countered an array of threats from Iran's government
-- such as attempted terrorist attacks and kidnappings, espionage and foreign
influence ops, and cyberattacks.” Reiterating its commitment to identifying and
disrupting all Iranian intelligence and military operations that threaten the
Americans, the FBI said, “We'll use every tool and authority at our disposal to
investigate crimes that Iran’s government and terrorist partners direct.’”



Yemen



The Jerusalem Post: How Is An Explosion In Yemen Connected To Palestinian
Islamic Jihad? <[link removed]>



“Early Monday morning, not long after a ceasefire was reached between Israel
and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in Gaza, an explosion shook the city
of Sanaa in Yemen. While the conflict in Gaza and the explosion in Yemen likely
have no direct connection, the facility where the explosion was reported can be
linked back to an Iranian unit that works closely with both Yemen's Houthis and
the Islamic Jihad, according to independent Israeli intelligence analyst Ronen
Solomon, who runs the Intelli Times blog. The explosion reportedly hit the
al-Hafa military camp, where the Houthi rebel group has missile storage and
manufacturing facilities. According to the Saudi news network Al-Arabiya and
Al-Ain news, the explosion was caused after a missile that was being moved
exploded. The explosion reportedly caused a second explosion in a weapons
production facility at the camp as well and six Iranian and Lebanese missile
experts and dozens of Houthi militia members were killed in the explosion,
according to Al-Arabiya. The details of the explosion were not confirmed by
Houthi officials.”



Middle East



Associated Press: Palestinians: Israeli Troops Kill 3 Militants In West Bank
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“Israeli troops killed three Palestinian militants and wounded dozens in a
shootout that erupted during an arrest raid in the city of Nablus in the
occupied West Bank on Tuesday. The shootout came a day after a cease-fire ended
three days of fighting between Israel and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad
militant group in the Gaza Strip. In a separate incident in the West Bank city
of Hebron, the Palestinian Health Ministry said a 17-year-old was killed by
Israeli fire. The Israeli military said forces were responding with live fire,
among other means, to a violent protest. Israeli police said security forces
encircled the home of Ibrahim al-Nabulsi, who they say was wanted for a string
of shootings in the West Bank earlier this year. They confirmed that al-Nabulsi
and another Palestinian militant were killed in a shootout at the scene, and
that troops found arms and explosives in his home. The Israeli military said
that troops came under attack from Palestinians throwing rocks and explosives,
and that soldiers responded with live fire. It confirmed Palestinians were
shot, but did not elaborate on their condition. The Palestinian Health Ministry
said three people were killed — al-Nabulsi, Islam Sabouh and Hussein Jamal Taha
— and at least 40 were wounded.”



Nigeria



Associated Press: Nigeria Arrests Men Suspected Of Deadly Church Attack
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“The suspected gunmen who killed dozens of worshippers during a church
service in southwestern Nigeria in June have been arrested, Nigeria's top
military officer said on Tuesday, two months after the attack which shocked
many in the West African nation. “We have arrested those behind the dastardly
act in Owo,” General Leo Irabor, Nigeria's Chief of Defense Staff, said in a
meeting with local media, according to the Abuja-based Daily Trust newspapers.
Neither Irabor nor the police who confirmed the arrest to The Associated Press
provided further details into the development. The Nigerian general however
said investigations are still ongoing and “in due course, the world will see
them and others who are behind other daring attacks in the country.” The gunmen
stormed the St. Francis Catholic Church in Ondo state just as the worshippers
gathered on Pentecost Sunday and killed at least 40 of them, authorities said.
The incident shocked many in Ondo which is one of Nigeria’s most peaceful
states and had been largely spared the violent attacks across the West African
nation, particularly in the troubled north where Islamic extremist rebels of
Boko Haram and other armed groups operate.”



Somalia



Voice Of America: Al-Shabab Faces Pushback In Ethiopia’s Somali Region
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“Ethiopia’s Somali region is mobilizing against al-Shabab militants to
prevent further incursions by the group. The region had been hailed as the most
peaceful in Ethiopia since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power in 2018. But
that was put to the test three weeks ago when al-Shabab fighters forced their
way into the region, igniting a deadly confrontation deep in Ethiopia. Ethiopia
has now amassed troops along the border for possible military operations
against al-Shabab. But the Somali region is also mobilizing community leaders
including religious scholars, women and traditional elders. Business leaders
have pledged funds and pastoralists have donated livestock to the security
forces. The apparent goal is to resist infiltration of al-Shabab’s ideology in
a region known for its tolerance and peaceful cohabitation between various
faith communities. Sheikh Mohamed Hassan Burawi is one of the clerics who spoke
out against al-Shabab during a recent government-organized gathering in the
region’s capital, Jigjiga. “They want to manipulate people by saying they want
to spread religion and jihad,” Burawi told VOA Somali in a phone interview. “We
have to give people awareness that what these men are preaching is not jihad,
but it’s independent of the religion.”



Africa



Al Jazeera: At Least 15 Soldiers Killed In Northern Burkina Faso Blasts: Army
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“At least 15 soldiers were killed in northern Burkina Faso when a transport
vehicle drove over a hidden explosive, killing several troops before a second
explosion killed those who rushed to their aid, the army has said in a
statement. The incident occurred on a rural road in the Bam province of the
country’s Central-North region, where soldiers and civilians are routinely
targeted by armed groups. Those linked to al-Qaeda and the ISIL (ISIS) armed
group have been active in the region since at least 2015. The attack was
carried out during an escort mission, the army said in a statement on Tuesday.
“One of the vehicles in the convoy, which was carrying troops, hit an explosive
device near Namsiguia district in Bam province,” it added. “While rescue and
security operations were being organised, a second device was obviously
activated remotely, causing numerous casualties,” it said. No group has taken
responsibility for the attack, but investigations are currently under way to
determine the perpetrators, the army said. The attack came less than a week
after armed fighters killed four soldiers and nine civilian army volunteers in
another Bam province ambush. Burkina Faso’s military government took power in a
January coup that removed former President Roch Marc Christian Kabore, amid
widespread anger about the government’s failure to improve the security
situation in the country.”



United Kingdom



The Telegraph: Islamic Terrorists ‘Refuse To Be Deradicalised In Prison’
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“Britain’s most dangerous convicted Islamic terrorists are boycotting prison
work, education, training and deradicalisation programmes that could
rehabilitate them, a watchdog has revealed. An investigation by Charlie Taylor,
the chief inspector of prisons, found almost all the Islamic terrorists
currently being held in special high-security “separation” units were “refusing
to take part” in any purposeful activity or work to change their beliefs or
behaviour. The nine currently being held at two high-security jails, HMP
Frankland in County Durham and HMP Woodhill in Buckinghamshire, are regarded as
the highest risk prisoners and are held in separation units because of fears
they could radicalise other prisoners. They are believed to include Hashem
Abedi, who helped organise the 2017 Manchester Arena attack, and at least one
Islamic State fighter. Mr Taylor’s report comes just months after a terrorism
watchdog warned that prison staff were so concerned about being accused of
racism that Muslim terrorists had been able to seize control of wings and set
up sharia courts behind bars. The investigation by Jonathan Hall, the
independent reviewer of terrorist legislation, said that Islamic extremists had
sought to dictate diets and washing habits of non-Muslim prisoners, and had
gone unchallenged when they insisted warders should be barred from attending
Friday prayers.”



Daily Mail: Convicted Terrorist Who Was Jailed For Four Years For Helping
Teenage Jihadist Join Islamic State Is Sent Back To Prison After Failing To
Tell Police About Two Cars And Hiding Finance Accounts
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“A convicted Islamic terrorist who helped a teenage jihadist join Islamic
State in Syria has been sent back to jail for keeping secret financial accounts
from authorities. Muslim convert Kristen Brekke was 19 when he was convicted of
preparation of terrorist acts and jailed for four-and-a-half years following an
Old Bailey trial in 2016. Brekke was one of three men jailed for helping a
teenage jihadi follow in his big brother's footsteps and Islamic State fighters
in Syria in 2014. The Welshman helped Aseel Muthana, 18, travel to the Middle
East like his 21-year-old brother, Nasser, who he left his Cardiff home in
February 2014 for Syria. Brekke knew Muthana from working alongside him at 'Ice
Cream Passion' in Cardiff and together filmed themselves holding an imitation
gun on a hillside known locally as 'Asda Hill' because it overlooks the
supermarket. Brekke bought items for potential use in combat, such as
camouflage clothing, on eBay, although Aseel did not take most of them with
him. At the end of the 2016 trial, Brekke, of Grangetown, Cardiff, was
convicted of preparation of terrorist acts and jailed for four-and-a-half
years. Brekke reappeared at the Old Bailey today after to admitting four
breaches of an anti-terrorism order and was sentenced to nine months in prison.”



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